Report for Teamsters 29th International Convention Day 1

The Teamsters 29th International Convention opened on Monday with the same motivating spirit we have become accustomed to. The opening started with a quartet of woman violinists, a drummer and guitarist playing Led Zeppelin, Journey and AC/DC music while Teamsters rally and members were shown on all the conventions Halls oversized big screens. (I posted it on the Division 766 FB page)

President Hoffa addressed the convention and gave his report. There are more than 1600 delegates and four to five thousand retirees and guests in attendance at the convention.

Teamsters are the largest Industrial Union in America. Hoffa said, Teamsters represent from A to Z, airline pilots to zoo keepers.

Hoffa recognized the BLET and BMWED as Teamsters.

“Everybody wants to be a Teamster! We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but our journey is never done, so let’s pledge together to fight the good fight for workers,” Hoffa said

Teamsters has organized 300,000 new members in the last decade.

Fed Ex is now at the bargaining table with the Teamsters which was a Resolution passed at the 2011 convention.

The merger of Cisco and US Foods was halted as a result of Teamster efforts when the jobs were not protected under the merger agreement.

Hoffa spoke about trade deals. He said we do not need Free Trade agreements, we need Fair Trade agreements that keep  good paying jobs in North America. The Teamsters will fight all trade agreements such as Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) just as they have NAFTA.

Delegates at the convention passed the following resolutions:
A resolution that supports building power in the public sector.

A resolution committed to ensuring the voices of Teamster members will continue to be heard in the political arena through DRIVE.

A resolution opposing job-killing trade deals.

Rosa Pavanelli, Public Services International General Secretary Treasurer addressed the convention and echoed General President Hoffa’s comments on Free Trade agreements. She went on to say the because of these agreements some Nations have been issued monetary fines that they have to pay corporations that exceed the countries annual economic revenue.

General-Secretary Treasurer Ken Hall, stressed the importance of political participation and fighting to protect workers from anti-union forces. “Right to work is a euphemism to hide anti-worker attacks. It doesn’t create jobs, and it sure doesn’t create good jobs. We have to keep fighting and telling the truth about so-called right to work,” Hall said.

Guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine was presented the Teamsters President’s Award by Hoffa. The award recognizes the recipient’s courage, character and leadership in commitment and dedication to working families.

Morello said, “the music is the message and the message is solidarity”.

After the presentation of the award Morello and his band played live for the delegation.

In addition to considering a number of resolutions and constitutional measures the delegates will also conduct nominations for all International Offices.

For those interested, you can view many of the speeches and performances at:
https://teamster.org/events/2016/29th-international-convention

In Solidarity
Steve Wells

GCA 900 – Delegate